These are generally the first that arrive; the weather had been very stormy for the four preceding days, and this in all probability kept the birds from venturing farther north than where the Indians had first seen them.
In the middle of the month the snow began to waste daily, and by degrees it disappeared from the hills and the surface of the lake.

On the 17th and 19th the Aurora appeared very brilliant in patches of light, bearing N.W.An old Cree Indian having found a beaver-lodge near to the fort, Mr.Keith, Back, and I, accompanied him to see the method of breaking into it, and their mode of taking those interesting animals.

The lodge was constructed on the side of a rock in a small lake, having the entrance into it beneath the ice.

The frames were formed of layers of sticks, the interstices being filled with mud, and the outside was plastered with earth and stones, which the frost had so completely consolidated, that to break through required great labour, with the aid of the ice chisel, and the other iron instruments which the beaver hunters use.

The chase however, was unsuccessful, as the beaver had previously vacated the lodge.
On the 21st we observed the first geese that flew near the fort, and some were brought to the house on the 30th, but they were very lean.